Somthing To Think About . . .

. . . as we enter the last few hours of The Noughties.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . .

. . . Christmas.

Taken in the past 24 hours.

The Sign

Earlier on today, I knew conditions would be perfect to create a modern version of a "classic", so I took myself down to the beach with my trusty S5600, and it turned out to be a good call for me! I took a similiar thing purely by accident with a Sony Macevia back in 2003, and it what gave me the photography bug. Although it looks simple and you may think anyone can do that kind of thing, but it isn't as right now is the ONLY time this can be possible. This is where the winter sun is low enough at 11.30 am to shine right into the mouth of this tunnel. Then it has to be in perfect alignment with the SSW-facing tunnel month. And even then I needed a perfect clear day for it. A very narrow window of opportunity in this one - and I got it! Very happy with this one - nice to be back into the zone again. Sometimes it serves to look back as well as experiment with new stuff!

Winter Draws Near

The "Urban Glow" photo is sodium lighting being lit up by falling snow, something that is always associated with built up areas on a winter's night. That was taken at 11 pm last night. The bloke one was taken this morning, dunno what he was carrying - probably a BBQ kit!

Snow Smilies

A little snow fell at my work's location last night, so I made use of it today.

I thought the two photos shown in here would make a change from the usual snowy pictures you would expect from most people.

Motorway Light Trails.

Took these two 15 seconds-long exposures photos at 7 am this morning. It was ffffrrrreeeezing cold when I took those. Located just off the Cheriton Channel Tunnel terminus.

Cars driving along on standing water during a freezing cold night had enabled ice to form on branches of a nearby hedgerow.

Frosty Day

Finally, we had the first real frost of the winter season today. And unusually on this occasion, the frost lasted out the whole day, even in the sunshine.

Winter Sunset

Captured this lush sunset while on my way home from work on a very cold Monday afternoon.

The Christmas Tree

Finally got around to putting it up. It's only four foot tall - not even that - but the camera angle and the photo taken in a darkened room does make it look a lot more impressive.

Season's Greetings

Thought I'd get in there early.

The holly picture was taken a few days ago at Radnor Park when the weather was clear and sunny. It's only just now I got around to processing the photo.

On reflection . . .

. . . perhaps Christmas is a season to be jolly and cheerful?

The Good Ol' Days

Tried to create that "photo taken in the 1950's" look about it. The location in this photo does have significant meaning to me, it was my Uncle and Little Nan's old house. Sadly both the ex-occupants have long since passed away and the house are now flats for students. Just thought the minis complimented that old style look.

Outstanding

One more Santa-related picture. Actually I had a rummage through a memory card before formatting it, and came across this picture which I thought was ideal for "selective colouring", or "colour pop".

I call this image "Outstanding".

Santas Galore!

Earlier on today at 11.30 am, some 500 Santa look-alikes descended on the town centre. It was a fun run in the name of charity but I couldn't resist using it as a photo opportunity. Thankfully, even though the squally rain and strong winds we had last night and into this morning had cleared away in time for the event, my camera struggled to cope with the tricky lighting conditions associated with grey and overcast skies.

Ian Fraser . . .

. . . my bestest and oldest friend in the world!

Feel The Blues

Just love the blue cast these set of LED lighting gave off. I also "timed" it with the pre-dawn blueness in the sky.

Taken at the bottom of the Old High Street early this morning while I was on my way to work.

The Tea Break

An "experimental" capture. I used my mobile phone's camera for this one.

Seafood Stall

A familar sight for those living in Folkestone.

Sadly, it is true about Shaggy

Cumulonimbus

Or more commonly known as "Anvil Top clouds". They produce heavy rain, hail and even lightning on a local scale. They can explode to great height in a very short space of time as they form in an unstable airmass.

But is it me, or that cloud has the appearance of mooning at me! Taken at 9.45 am on a rather unsettled Sunday weather-wise.

Baby Plants

The boss had taken delivery of baby plants yesterday at my tomato greenhouse workplace, and today they've all been laid out all ready for next year's growing season.

Folkestone At Night

A view of Folkestone from the hills to the north of the town.

The two photos were taken with my S5600 while I was on my way home from work earlier on today. I wanted to make good use of the excellent visibility, but Jesus it was FREEZING on them hills, and the strong winds only made it even worse. I could only rattle off five pictures before I thought I was going to pass out from being so, so cold!

Don't forget you can click on the actual image to view a larger version in a seperate window.

This is what happens . . .

. . . when you turn your back on nature.

This is my bro in law getting wet in the name of photography at the East Cliff Sands earlier on today.

"Treemendous" Sunrise and Sunset

Made good use of this very brief "fiery" sunrise while I was on my way to work. The sunset one was taken from my hobby room. Yes, BOTH pictures were taken on the same day.

Postling Church

As any church buildings goes, I think this is a classic example of how churches should look like. I just love this one based at Postling, it just looks so "correct" in proportions and size. Plus the location is perfect as it's free of background clutter such as buildings and cables.

This was taken at 4 pm, just as the sun was setting.

Evening Solitude

Saw this red sky starting to develop while I was driving on my way home from work, so I took a little detour and headed for the Battle of Britain memorial place at Capel Le Ferne. Once I got there, I thought the statue complimented the set-up. At that point I was losing the red sky, so I had to give the photo a slight colour boost.

Towards The Evening Sky

This lovely orange hue associated with a late afternoon sunset caught my eyes while driving home from work, so I decided to make good use of it.

Keeping Things In Perspective

My workplace earlier on today. I thought I'd make use of this rare moment when my tomato greenhouses workplace are stripped bare of plants.

Three Way Split

Perhaps I might have taken the rule of thirds thing a wee bit too seriously.

Armistice Day

This time I'll let the date and picture speak for themselves.